could a filter like this be possible?

[boxfishpooalot]

Im dreaming again :D . Im wondering if a filter that uses cyntripical force be used to capture tiny bacteria/dirt ect in an aquarium on a continual basis. Then, just empty the "skimmer" cup :lol: This thing, if possible would fill up every day with so much crap......

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, you could. It would only remove particulates (probably including bacteria, depending on their specific gravity), and would be very, very expensive. I doubt you could easlily make it a continuous process rather than a small batch process.

[boxfishpooalot]

Im still dreaming about it.... :D

Why would it be very exspensive? Craftmanship or electrical costs?

[BLockamon]

What you're describing is like a cyclone separator/filter. Here are a few links:
http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~gmhyde/433_web_pages/cyclones/-CycloneOverview.html
http://www.classicfilters.com/pdf/013-Cyclone.pdf
http://www.cycloneproducts.com/filtercdata.asp

[reefkeeper2]

Those links are very interesting. I think you could use a filter like this to feed your skimmer and chemical media, but exclude particulate matter. Could this be an application to keep plankton from being removed from your water by your skimmer and other media but at the same time keeping your water quality high?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Box wants to use it to remove stuff, and you want to use it to keep stuff. :D

[boxfishpooalot]

Seriously i think somthing that could remove dissolved organics too would put a protein skimmer to shame. Only thing they would be good for is gas exchange.

Sombody make one for me :D !

I dont understand how it creates a cyclone. It says that it could remove particles as small as 2microns.

Is it just a settling chamber?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Dissloved organics would require an ultracentrifuge. Way too slow and expensive.

[BLockamon]

Pumping the water in at an angle (and high pressure/flow) creates a natural swirling action (cyclone). Centrifugal force causes the particulates to migrate to the "dirty water" outlet, while the clean water passes through the frit and exits the bottom. It works like a centrifute (not as efficient) but is in-line vs. batch.